Thakhek Tourist Attractions

The dusty Thakhek does not look promising as far as tourist attractions are concerned but it is the starting point for quite a popular Thakhek motorbike loop.

Thakhek Loop – exploring the caves

As you head out of Thakhek along Route 12, the first 20 kilometres of this road have become known as Cave Alley, thanks to the huge concentration of caves and swimming holes along this stretch of road. This is also the beginning of the famous Loopthat so many backpackers traverse over the course of a few days on a motorbike, but even if you aren't taking the full loop, the caves can be explored on a day trip – either by renting a motorbike and exploring on your own or by going on a tour with a tuk-tuk or minivan from the town.

Each cave has its own appeals, with various Buddha statues in some of them or awe-inspiring natural formations and structures within them. There are various entry fees at most of the caves (some as high as LAK30,000), but if you book a guided tour through the tourist office, these fees are usually included in the cost of the tour.

You can rent a tuk-tuk yourself and get a sort of personal tour of the caves (the drivers should know how to get to all the best cave spots), or you can arrange a more official tour through the Thakhek Tourist Office. There are a few different options here for tours and the prices will vary entirely depending on which tour you choose and how many people are in your group booking the tour with you, so check in at the office for the most updated prices and options available to explore the caves of Route 12.

Trekking & kayaking in Thakhek

Trekking is a common activity in Thakhek, and again, guided treks can be arranged through the Thakhek Tourist Office. In addition to tours of the caves, a multiple-day trek also gives you the chance to walk through the beauty of the surrounding jungle and the limestone mountains that surround the Thakhek area.

Discover Phou Hin Poun is a 2-day trek, one of the most popular offered through the tourist office, and a great way to immerse yourself in the beautiful rural scenery. Green Discovery, located in Inthira Hotel, is another popular tour company in Laos that can give you information about other trekking options near Thakhek such as kayaking, trips to natural protected areas in Laos, etc.

Khun Kong Keng Lake

Khun Kong Keng Lake is another popular natural attraction that is relatively close to Thakhek, about 50 km away and an easily doable day trip. The colours of this lagoon’s water are surreally beautiful, and its somewhat remote location will certainly make you feel like you're in a dream – you'll find that this spot is much less populated by Western tourists than the famous Blue Lagoon in Vang Vieng, making it feel a bit more special. The lake can be reached by motorbike, but there are some 20 kilometres of dirt road to traverse once you turn off Route 13, making it a bit challenging for an inexperienced driver (which is a gross understatement during rainy season, when the road gets even more difficult to drive on). If you feel uncomfortable with driving a motorbike down this portion of the road, just hire a tuk-tuk or arrange a minivan tour with the Tourist Office. The lagoon is also one of the stops on their 2-day trek.

Rock climbing

One more worth considering activity in Thakhek is rock climbing – with the majestic limestone karsts nearby just begging to be tackled by a climber. Green Climbers Home, located on Route 12, is your best bet for finding information on rock climbing courses and routes. The prices vary, again depending on how many people are involved and what your current skill level is, so if you're interested in rock climbing in Thakhek, just check in with them to find the best package to suit your needs.